Sherlock Holmes (2009)

I love Robert Downey Jr. I love detective films. I love Sherlock Holmes. But this missed the mark just a bit. This movie stars Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes, everybody's favorite drug-addicted crazy genius detective. And, apperently, he's also super strong. I never read anything about that in the stories. It doesn't stay too close to the original stories, but stays enough for a good time. The case in the film really doesn't have a clear objective, and the film is very choppy. It's slow, but smart. That's all I can say. True Sherlock fans will like it, but other than them, I would say maybe only glance at it.
B

Fantastic Four (2005)

This amazing team of superheroes began in the 1960's with a comic book. Look where it is today. A full-blown legacy. Anyway, this film packs science fiction, romance, action, and deception into one two-hour package. Actually, a pretty family-friendly film. It's only PG-13 for violence. So I think it serves most purposes of movies. It is an very good blast from the past, remembering when you read your comic books, wondering about the amazing possibilities of comics. (and don't feel ashamed. I do it too) Some movie adaptations of comic books are just plain terrible, but this one hits just a few inches off the bullseye. I would say to head down to your video store and watch the Fantastic Four.
A

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel (2009)

First of all, let me say WELCOME TO 2010!!!! Second, let me say that: I know Squeakuel is a dumb name. I know. However, things picked up a lot from the last adventure of our furry little friends. In this movie, they meet girls (finally!) the jerk Ian is a hobo living on a roof,(take that, sucker!) and this movie stars Chuck's Zachary Levi. (Mondays on NBC. Watch it) The recuuring gags, are hysterical, the plot is better, and just overall, I liked this movie more. And that is why KidViews gives Alvin and the Chipmunks 2 a
B+

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)

A mild dissapointment, but still worth the rent. Leonard Nimoy directs this film (I guess he'll have a major role in the movie-making process no matter what) about James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and his aging crew on the Enterprise. He goes against all rules to go get Spock, who in the last movie was dumped on Genesis after he died. (oops!) Then the planet goes crazy, and then Klingons attack. It was just too much. This movie really just did what Heroes on NBC did: they make an amazingly unbelievable story...and then carry it too far. It was just too unbelievable, even for Star Trek. Still worth your time, though. It wasn't a complete dissapointment.
B+

To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

I know that I usually rat out drama films, but this movie was outstanding. This hit film, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, has heart, adventure, suspense, and a crime scene like no other. Number one for AFI's top ten courtroom films list, this film stars Gregory Peck as AFI's number one hero, Atticus Finch. It is a fabulous story, and defines right from wrong, and gives the truth that sonetimes people can't tell the difference. So get this film today and learn why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.
A+

Elf (2003)

This is a great family funny flick for the holidays. This hit, starring Will Ferrel as Buddy, a human raised as an elf, is a comic gem that is also a good-messaged family film. It has love, life, and a lot of very predictable (but it's still funny when it happens) humor. I would rent this any holiday season. So go down to the movie shop and rent Elf.
A

2012 (2009)

It's not what it's hyped up to be. This movie is, in fact, a sheer dissapointment to the disaster genre. It's just not that good. It stars John Kusack as a divorced father of two kids, and the movie is his story trying to save his family. The special effects drive this movie on...for almost 3 hours! It's too long, the plot is empty, and the movie just isn't that great. So head down to the movies with a big bucket of tomatoes and throw them at 2012.
C